Tobacco giant cited for bullying tactics
Editor
Oct 23, 2012
Philip Morris International (PMI) has scored a well-deserved nomination to Corporate Accountability International's 2012 Corporate Hall of Shame for its legal bullying of countries that have adopted strong measures to reduce tobacco use.
The world's largest multinational tobacco company with billions of dollars in profits at its disposal, Philip Morris in recent years has used lawsuits and international trade disputes to fight bold tobacco control policies in Australia, Norway, Uruguay and other countries.
Continue reading Philip Morris International Nominated to Corporate Hall of Shame
posted October 23, 2012
Video: Tobacco giant questioned on Marlboro-branded kiosk steps from school
Editor
Jul 11, 2012
In a new segment, ABC News Nightline returns to Indonesia, a playground for the tobacco industry where tobacco marketing is inescapable and kids can easily buy cigarettes right outside their schools.
Continue reading ABC’s Nightline Investigates Philip Morris International’s Marketing to Indonesian Youth
posted July 11, 2012
Camilleri downplays tobacco’s toll, dismisses youth concerns at shareholders’ meeting
Editor
May 11, 2012
Confronted by activists – including youth who traveled to New York City to attend Philip Morris International’s annual shareholders meeting this week – Philip Morris CEO Louis Camilleri again played down the deadly consequences of his company’s products and claimed the company acts responsibly when the evidence shows otherwise.
At last year’s shareholders meeting, Camilleri minimized how addictive cigarettes truly are, stating that “it is not that hard to quit” (he backtracked under a torrent of criticism).
Continue reading A “Responsible” Tobacco Company? Philip Morris International’s Actions Contradict CEO’s Claim
posted May 11, 2012
Landmark case sets precedent for strict enforcement of tobacco-control laws
Editor
Apr 11, 2012
A civil magistrate in Pakistan has found the head of marketing for Philip Morris Pakistan Ltd. guilty of violating Pakistan’s law that tightly restricts cigarette advertising, criticizing the executive’s excuse that he didn’t believe placing ads in magazines was the same as putting them in the "press."
The tobacco executive admitted that the company had run the ads, which included full-page, color advertising for Marlboro cigarettes in many of Pakistan’s leading magazines throughout November and December. But he claimed he didn’t realize these ads were subject to restrictions that limit their size and require pictorial warnings – because he believed the word "press" did not include magazines.
Continue reading Guilty: Philip Morris Executive in Pakistan Fined for Violating Advertising Rules
posted April 11, 2012
Tobacco company flouted law with magazine ads
Editor
Feb 28, 2012
The Marlboro Man has galloped into trouble in Pakistan.
A Pakistani judge has issued an arrest warrant for the head of marketing for Philip Morris Pakistan Ltd., for the company’s blatant violation of laws that tightly restrict tobacco advertisements. Despite the advertising limits, Philip Morris purchased – and magazines published – full-page, color ads for Marlboro cigarettes in many of Pakistan’s leading magazines throughout November and December.
Continue reading Wanted: Pakistan Charges Philip Morris Executive with Advertising Violations
posted February 28, 2012
Lawmakers must choose: Protect kids or protect industry profits
Editor
Feb 17, 2012
From Idaho comes the latest evidence that the tobacco industry will go to great lengths — and spare no expense — to protect its profits and defeat measures proven to keep kids from smoking.
According to a report in the Idaho Falls Post Register, the Altria Group, the nation’s largest tobacco company and parent of Philip Morris USA, spent more money lobbying Idaho officials last year than any other group. Altria spent $165,076 lobbying in the state in 2011 — it’s the only group to spend more than $100,000, and its total is 82 percent more than the next biggest spender.
Continue reading In Idaho, Big Tobacco Spends Big Bucks to Buy Influence
posted February 17, 2012
Even smoker says: "It’s not good"
Editor
Jan 11, 2012
Senegal’s health officials are outraged at a sudden price cut of nearly 40 percent in Philip Morris International’s top-selling Marlboro brand, saying that the deep discount puts profits over health.
The global tobacco giant stunned Senegal, which is already struggling with soaring adult and youth smoking rates, when it announced the price cut last month. AFP reports that officials and the public are alarmed.
Continue reading Senegal Stunned at Deep Philip Morris Price Discount
posted January 11, 2012
Legacy’s truth® video turns the tables to show youth how addiction harms
Editor
Sep 14, 2011
Philip Morris International CEO Louis Camilleri told company shareholders in New York recently that it's "not that hard to quit" smoking. But the words of a real smoker, sick and wheezing, speak truth to tobacco industry power.
In a new video from Legacy’s truth® campaign, "Steve" speaks through a tracheotomy hole, coughs and wheezes as he sets the story straight: "Having my vocal cords removed definitely helped me quit smoking…and talking."
Continue reading Smoker Talks truth® to Philip Morris International CEO’s Claim That It’s “not that hard to quit”
posted September 14, 2011
Company documents show how PMI targets local brand to youth
Editor
Sep 12, 2011
With Indonesia in the grip of what it calls an "uncontrolled tobacco epidemic," ABC’s 20/20 turns its cameras beyond the shocking images of smoking babies and schoolchildren to spotlight the role of lax government regulation and Philip Morris International’s marketing to youth.
Continue reading ABC’s 20/20: Philip Morris International’s Link to Indonesia’s “Mini-explosion of Smoking Babies”
posted September 12, 2011
In country of smoking baby, tobacco giant targets young men with outrageous billboard
Editor
Aug 30, 2011
From Philip Morris International’s Indonesian subsidiary Sampoerna comes a new billboard with a jaw-dropping slogan: "Dying is better than leaving a friend. Sampoerna is a cool friend."
See it in the full post.
Continue reading Philip Morris International Suggests Cigarettes are “a Cool Friend” for Indonesians
posted August 30, 2011
Philip Morris International chief's comment that tobacco is "not that hard to quit" only hints at company deception
Editor
May 12, 2011
Philip Morris International CEO Louis Camilleri made headlines at the PMI shareholders' meeting in New York on Wednesday, when he falsely claimed that "it's not that hard to quit" smoking cigarettes.
It was a revealing glimpse of the real Philip Morris at an event usually orchestrated to present the world's largest private tobacco company in the best light even as its products and practices spread death and disease worldwide.
Continue reading He Said What?
posted May 12, 2011